Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a 9-inch square baking pan.

2. Finely chop the dates and orange zest in a food processor. With the motor running, gradually add the hot water to moisten the dates. Transfer to a large bowl.

3. Add 1 cup of the confectioners sugar, the eggs, oil and lemon juice. Beat with a wooden spoon until blended. Add the flour, cinnamon and salt, stir until blended.

4. Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges begin to pull away from the side of the pan. Cool on a wire rack before cutting into bars.

5. Place the remaining 1 cup confectioners sugar on a plate. Roll the bars in the sugar to coat them. These keep especially well.

Makes 18 bars.

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